Elevator-engine.



No. 796,210. PATENTED AUG. 1, 1905. 1 c. w. HOFFMAN.

ELEVATOR ENGINE.

' APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24. 1906.

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ATTORNEYS No. 796,210. PATENTED AUG. 1, 1905.

W 0. W. HOFFMAN.

* ELEVATOR ENGINE.

\ APPLICATION mam rm. 24. 1905-.

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I UNITED STATES CHARLES W. HOFFMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELEVATOR-ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Aug. 1, 1905.

Application filed February 24:, 1905. Serial No. 247,128.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. HOFFMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident.

of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Elevator-Engines, of which the, following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to elevators; and. its object is to provide certain new and useful improvements in elevator-engines whereby the engine is stopped in case of accident to the machinery by shutting off the motive agent from the engine and by applying the enginebrake by the same brake-lever which normally controls the brake on ordinarily stopping and startingv the engine.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims. I

A practical embodimentof the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

ment as arranged on an electric elevator-engine. Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-section of the same on the line 2 20f Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the improvement. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device for disconnecting the brake-lever from the operating device or switch, and Fig. 5 is a rear face view of the bell-crank lever for the disconnecting device.

The shaft A of the .engine or motor A is connected by the usual gear (not shown) with the shaft B of a hoisting-drum B, and the motive agent (electricity, steam, or the like) for the engine or motor A is controlled in the usual manner by an operating device or switch (J, actuated in the ordinary running of the engine or motor by the operator in charge of the cage to stop and start the latter at the different landings of the elevator-shaft. For this purpose the operating-rope (not shown) under the controlof'the operator in the cage passes around a wheel 0, secured on a shaft 0 connected by a gear-wheel with a gearwheel C on the shaft C of the operating device or switch 0. By turning the operatingwheel G from a normal or stopping position in one direction the motive agent is turned on to start and run the engine or motor A, and by turning the wheel C in a reverse direction back to the normal stopping position the mo tive agent is shut off to stop the cage at the desired landing.

The mechanism so far described is common to elevators now in use, so that further detailed description of the same isnot deemed necessary- When throwing the operating device or switch G into a stopping position, a brake D on the engine-shaft A is applied to bring the engine or motor A quickly'to a standstill, and when the operating device or switch C is moved into a starting and running position then the brake D is released. This brake D is normally controlled from the operating device or switch 0, and for this purpose the following arrangement is made: A brake-wheel D, secured on the engine-shaft A, (see Fig. 2,) is engaged at its peripheral surface by brake-bands D fulcrumedat D and pivotally connected at their free ends by links D D with a brake-lever D fulcrumed at D and carrying a weight D (See Fig. 8.) In the brake lever D is formed an opening D through which extends vertically a block E,

' having an enlarged bore for the passage of a Figure l is a side elevation of the improve- 7 rod E, provided at its lower end with washers and nuts E engaging the under side of the block E, the top of which is pressed on by a spring E coiled on the rod 'E and abutting with its upper end on nuts E screwing on the rod E. By adjusting the nuts E more 'or less tension can be given to the spring E The upper end of the rod E is pivotally connected with the free endof a lever E (see Fig. 2.) fulcrumed at E and carrying a friction-roller E engaging the U-shaped camgroove of a cam E secured on the operating-shaft C, so that when the latter is turned on, manipulating the operating-wheel G to start the engine or motor, then an upward-swinging motion is given to the lever E to lift the rod E and with it the block E to impart an upward swinging motion to the brake-lever D to swing, the brake-bands D out of frictional contact with the brake-wheel D. so that the brake is released and the engine-shaft A is free to rotate. When the operating-wheel C is turned in the reverse direction, for throwing off the motive agent from'the engine or motor A. then the turning of the shaft (J and cam-E causes the lever E to swing downward, whereby the rod E is moved downward and by its spring'E pressing on the block E causesthe lever D to swing downward, the latter'in doing so applying the brake-bands D on the peripheral surface of the brake-wheel I) to bring the engine-shaft A, and consequently the engine or motor A, to a stop.

It is understood that by having the spring E the brake-lever D is yieldingly actuated to insure the application of the brake Without shock or jar, especially as the action of the cam E on the friction-roller E is positive.

In case the operating device or switch 0 becomes deranged, it is desirable to apply the brake with a view to bring the engine or motor A to a standstill, and for this purpose it is necessary that the operating device or switch 0 be disconnected from the brake D. In order to do this, the following arrangement is made: The block E is locked to the brakelever D by a transversely-extending arm F, fulcrumed at F on the brake-lever I), the said arm extending into a notch formed in one side of the block E, so as to hold the latter against up-and-down movement in the brake-lever D. When the arm F is swung from the right to the left, (see Fig. 3,) then it disengages the notch in the block E. to unlock the latter from the brake-lever D thus freeing the latter of the block to allow the weight D to swing the brake-lever D downward to apply the brake by throwing the brake-bands D in firm frictional contact with the brake-wheel D. The arm F is normally held in an engaging position with the block E by a spring F held on the brake-lever D and pressing the fulcrum end of the said arm.

In order to actuate the arm F with a View to disconnect the brake-lever D from the operating device or switch C, as above mentioned, the following device is provided: The device for actuating the arm F automatically in an emergency is connected with the drumshaft B, and the device also controls an auxiliary device for shutting off the motive agent from the engine or motor in the emergency. For the purpose mentioned the free end of the arm F is engaged by the free end of a swingarm Gr, fulcrumed at G and provided with an auxiliary arm G connected with one end of a chain or rope H, extending over a pulley H and carrying a weight H so as to insure a quick action of the swing-arm G when released. The swing-arm G controls an auxiliary device I for shutting off the motive agent from the engine or motor A in an emergency, and the said auxiliary device I may be of any approved construction and built according to the nature of the engine or motor employed. For instance, as shown in the drawings, the auxiliary device 1 is in the form of an auxiliary switch in the main line employed for supplying electrical energy to the motor A.

The auxiliary device I consists of contactplates I, secured to the swing-arm G(see Figs. 1 and 3) and normally held in frictional engagement with clamping contactplates 1 connected with the main-line wire, to keep the main-line circuit normally continuous; but when the contact-plates I are moved out of engagement with the contact-plates I then the main-line circuit is broken-that is, the electrical energy is shut 011" from the motor A. On imparting aswinging motion to the swingarmGfrom the right to the left the circuit is broken, and at the same time the arm F is disconnected from the block E to release the brake-lever D, which by its weight I) now applies the brake wholly independent of the operating device or switch C. It is understood that the frictional contact of the plates I with the plates 1 somewhat overbalanees the weight H but when the swing-arm G receives a swinging motion from the right to the left and the contact-plates I start to disengage the plates then the weight H will exert itself to insure a quick action of the swing-arm (,i to disengage the contact-plates I quickly from the plates 1 and to push the arm F outof engagement with the block E. I

The swing-arm G is provided with a pin G, extending between spaced lugs J and J on the horizontal member of a bell-crank lever J, pivoted at J i on the ei'igine-frame and having its vertical member provided in the top with an elongated open slot J engaged by a pin J projecting from an arm J secured to the frame K of a flier mounted to turn loosely on the shaft B of the drum B. The lug J" is formed with a recess J into which extends partly the pin G to hold the link J in the proper position, and when the flier-frame K is caused to rotate in either direction, as hereinafter more fully described, then the arm J by engaging the bell-crank lever J causes the latter to rock so that. the recess Idisengages the pin G and the latter is then engaged by the lug J so that on the further rocking of the bell-crank lever J in either direction a swinging motion is given to the swing-arm G from the right to the left to actuate the auxiliary device I and the arm F, as above explained. In case the flier-frame K rotates farther the pin J leaves the open slot J to prevent damage to the device.

The flier-frame K engages a nut K, mounted to screw on the threaded end B of the drum-shaft B, and the said nut K is adapted to engage either of the collars K or K, secured on the threaded end of the drumshaft B. The collars K and K are set on the threaded end B such a distance apart that on the travel of the cage in its normal range in the elevator-shaft the nut K does not touch the collars K and K; but in case the cage travels beyond its normal range at either end then the nut K engages the corresponding collar K or K, and in doing so the corresponding collar K or K carries the nut K along, thereby turning the flier frame K. After this takes place the swing-arm (i is actuated by the connection above described and 796E210 y I 3 for the purpose set forth. It is understood that when the cage travels. say, a foot or so beyond its normal top position then the nut K is engaged by the collar K and in case the cage travels a foot or two beyond its normal lowermost position then the nut K engages the collar K and is carried around by the latter. The flier-frame K is also actuated in case the cage stops accidentally at any point in its descent and while the drum B is still running, andfor this purpose the following device is provided. On the inner end of the flier-frame K is formed or secured a clutch member-L. adapted to be engaged by aclutch member-L, mounted to slide on and, to rotate with the drum-shaft B. clutch member L is normally out of engagement with the clutch member L and is adapted to be shifted into engagement with the clutch I a member L by a shifting-fork L actuated by the slack occurring in the hoisting-cable, so

that When the drum B is running and unwinds,

thehoisting-cable while the cage is held stationary then the shifting-fork L moves the clutch member L in engagement with the clutch member L to turn the flier-frame K for actuating the swing-arm G, as above described. The mechanism for actuating the shifting-fork L by slack. occurring in the hoisting-cable is well known, so that further description of the same is not deemed necessary.

tate loosely a flier-frame N, provided at one end with a spiral gear-wheel-N in mesh with. a spiral gear-wheel N secured on the drumshaft B, and the said flier-frame N is engaged by a nut N screwing. on the threaded end C of the operating-shaft the said nut N 3 being adapted to engage either of the collars O or O, adjustably secured on the threaded end C of the shaft 0; The collars O and O are spaced apart, so that when the cage reaches the end of its normal travel then the nut N engages the corresponding collar 0 or O, and as the nut N rotateswith the flier N, driven in unison with the drum B, it is evident that the engaged collar 0 or O is carried along by the nut N so that the shaft U is turned from a runningto a stopping posi-, tionthat is, the operating device C is ac tu- .ated to shut off the motive agent from the en' gine or motor A whenever the cage reaches tion. a v

The flier mechanism just described is common to elevator-machines and does not form a part of the improvement.

the end of its normal travel in either direc- From the 'foregoing it will beseen that in case of disarrangement of the elevator machinery the motive agent is automatically shut oif and the engine-brake is applied to bring the engine, and consequently the drum F, to a stop before muchdamage can be done and before the cage has acquired too much mo- (See Fig. 2.) The On the operating-shaft is mounted to' roas new and desire to secure by Letters Paten t I 1. An elevator-engine provided with an auxiliary device for shutting off the motive agent, a swing-arm controlling said auxiliary device and a mechanism on the drum shaft, connected with the swing-arm to move the same, to automatically actuate the said auxiliary device on derangement of the machinery.

2. An elevator-engineprovided with an auxiliary device for shutting off the motive agent,

a swing-arm controlling said auxiliary device a mechanism on the drum-shaft, aconnection between said mechanism and the swing-arm to move the latter to automatically actuate the said auxiliary device on derangement of the machinery, and a brake for the engine, controlled from the said swing-arm, to apply the brake when shutting off the motive agent by the said auxiliary device.

.3. An elevator-engine provided with an auxiliary device for shutting oif the motive agent, a swing-arm controlling said device, and a flier device on the hoisting-drum shaft, for

moving the swing-arm to actuate the said aux- =iliary device on the elevator-cage traveling beyond 1ts normal predetermined range of travel. 1

4. An elevator-engineprovided with an auxiliary device for shutting ofl the motive agent,

a swing-arm for controlling said device, a bellcrank lever engaging the said swing-arm, and a mechanlsm on the hoisting-drum shaft, and

connected with the said bell-crank lever, for

actuating the said auxiliary device on the elevator-cage traveling beyond its normal pre-" determined range of travel in both an upward and downward direction.-

4 5. An elevator-engine provided with an operating device for controllingthe motive agent, an auxiliary device for shutting off the motive agent, a mechanism on the hoistingdr'um shaft,'for actuating the said auxiliary device on the elevator-cage travelingbeyond its normal predetermined range of travel, a brake on the'engine-shaft, normally locked to the operating device, and arranged to apply itselfwhen released from said operating device, and means controlled from the said mechanism on the hoisting-drum shaft for disengaging the brake from the operating device on shutting off the-motive agent by the said auxiliary device. 6. An elevator-engine provided with an operating devlce for controlling the motive agent, to stop and start the engine, an auX- iliary device for shutting off the motive agent to stop the engine in case of accident, a brake for the engine. having a weighted brake-lever, a rod connected with the operating mechanism and engaging the brake-lever, a locking device for normally locking the said rod to the weighted brake-lever, and a device operating in unison with the auxiliary device, for disengaging said locking device to allow the brake to apply itself in case of accident.

7. An elevator engine provided with an operating device for controlling the motive agent, to stop and start the engine, an auxiliary device for shutting off the motive agent to stop the engine in case of accident, a brake for the engine having a weighted brake-lever, normally controlled from the said operating device, and a disconnecting device operating in unison with the said auxiliary device, for disconnecting the brake-lever from the said operating device, to allow the brake to apply itself. I

8. An elevator engine provided with a brake havinga weighted brake-lever, an operating device for controllingthe motive agent to stop and start the engine, a connection between the said brake-lever and the said operating device, an auxiliary device for shutting off the motive agent in case of accident, and a disconnecting device operating in unison with the said auxiliary device and engaging the said connection, for disconnecting the latter from the said brake-lever, to allow the latter to apply the brake by the weight on the brake-lever.

9. An elevatorengine provided with an operating device for controlling the motive agent, to stop and start the engine, a brake for the engine, having a weighted brake-lever, a connection between the said operating device and the said brake-lever, to normally apply the brake on stopping the engine and to release the brake on starting the engine, and means for disconnecting the said connection from the said weighted brake-lever, to allow the latter to apply the brake.

10. An elevator-engine provided with an operating device for controlling the motive agent, to stop and start the engine, a brake for the engine, having a weighted brake-lever, a connection between the said operating device and the said brake-lever, to normally apply the brake on stopping the engine and to release the brake on starting the engine, a swing-arm engaging the said connection, for moving the latter out of engagement with the brake-lever, a flierdevice on the shaft of the hoisting-drum, and a connection between the flier device and the said swing-arm.

11. An elevator-engine provided with an operating device for controlling the motive agent, to stop and start the engine, a brake for the engine, having a weighted brake-lever, a connection between the said operating device and the said brake-lever, to normally apply the brake on stopping the engine and to release the brake on starting the engine, a swing-arm engaging the said connection, for moving the latter out of engagement with the brake-lever, a flier device on the shaft of the hoisting-drum, a connection between the flier device and the said swing-arm, and an auxiliary device for shutting ofi the motive agent and controlled by the said swing-arm.

12. An elevator-engine provided with an operating device for controlling the motive agent, to stop and start the engine, a brake for the engine, havinga weighted brake-lever, a connection between the said operating device and the said brake-lever, to normally apply the brake on stopping the engine and to release the brake on starting the engine, a swing-arm engaging the said connection, for moving the latter out of engagement with the said brake-lever, a weight connected with the said swing-arm, a bell-crank lever engaging the said swing-arm, and a flier on the shaft of the hoisting-drum, connected with the said bell-crank lever.

13. An elevator-engine provided with an operating device for controlling the motive agent, to stop and start the engine, a brake for the engine, havinga weighted brake-lever, a connection between the said operating device and the said brake-lever, to normally apply the brake on stopping the engine and to release the brake on starting the engine, a swing-arm engaging the said connection, for moving the latter out of engagement with the said brake-lever, a weight connected with the said swing-arm, a bell-crank lever engaging the said swing-arm, a flier on the shaft of the hoisting-drum, and an arm on the frame of the flier and having a loose connection with the said bell-crank lever.

14. An elevator-engine provided with an operating device, a heart-shaped cam on the rock-shaft of the said operating device, a lever connected with the said cam, a rod hung on the said lever, and a brake for the engine, having a weighted brake-lever engaged by the said rod, to actuate the brake in unison with the said operating device.

15. An elevator-engine provided with an operating device, a heart-shaped cam on the rock-shaft of the said operating device, a lever connected with the said cam, a rod hung on the said lever, a brake for the engine, having a weighted brake-lever engaged by the said rod, to actuate the brake in unison with the said operating device, a locking device for locking the said rod to the said brake-lever, and means, engaging the said locking device, to unlock the rod from the said brake-lever.

16. An elevator-engine provided with an operating device, a heart-shaped cam on the rock-shaft of the said operating device, a lever connected with the said cam, a rod hung on the said lever, a block supported loosely on the rod, a spring pressing the block, an enthe said lever, a block supported loosely on the rod, a spring pressing the block, an engine-brake having a brake-lever through which extends the block, a locking-arm fulcrumed on the brake-lever and engaging the said block, to lock the latter to the brake-lever, and means for throwing the locking-arm out of engagement with the said block," to release the brake-lever.

In testimony whereof I have signed myname to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES .VV. HOFFMAN.

Witnesses:

THEo. G, HosTER, EVERARD BOLTON MARSHALL. 

